ANTIOCH -- Police have identified a 21-year-old Russian immigrant as the suspect in the beating death of a 71-year-old Antioch man two weeks ago and are asking for the public's help in finding the man, who may have fled to San Francisco or Sacramento.

Ruslan Bazelyan, who came to the United States from the Ukraine in 2003, befriended Ronald Henry Rush around the beginning of June, according to a news release from Antioch police. Rush allowed Bazelyan to stay in his home on the 4400 block of Horseshoe Circle for at least a week before the killing, police said.

Rush's body was found on the evening of June 11, but police said he may have been killed the day before. Investigators have said that Rush died from blunt force trauma, but have not revealed what, if any, weapon was used in the attack.

Police said they believe that Bazelyan fled the home after the slaying, taking Rush's cell phone and his car, a gold 2008 BMW 328i convertible with a personalized California license plate of FOXRHR. Bazelyan may be working as an auto mechanic or an auto body repairman in the Sacramento or San Francisco areas, investigators say.

Bazelyan is about 6 feet tall and weighs about 160 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes. He speaks English, but with a Russian accent. Police say he used the name "Alex" during his time with Rush.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Bazelyan or the missing vehicle is asked to call their local police department or Antioch police at 925-779-6933. Anonymous tips can be sent by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using keyword ANTIOCH.